Anyone from Ann Arbor? We're thinking of relocating there.

[Holly_Hobby]

Cross posted from GD...

We're in Ohio, a union town of about 650,000 that's been taken over by Repubs masquerading as Independents. We've spent some time in AA over the years and always enjoyed ourselves.

We're both retired and have no reason to stay here - no children, and our families seldom contact us, so it's time to go elsewhere. We both love cold weather, so going a bit north is fine.

We found several apartment complexes for active 55+, and they're reasonable. There's a wait list, but we need to put our house up for sale.

We're going there for a weekend when the weather breaks to look around. We're also looking at these apartments, not 55+, but they're right downtown and WoW:

http://www.annarborcityapartments.com/

Any advice would be appreciated, TIA.

[Demeter]

1. I've lived and worked in Ann Arbor since 1996

Ask me anything....

Ann Arbor is a liberal enclave in an increasingly Tea Party state. The Governor lives here, and he should know better, but he's a Libertarian/Teahadist sympathizer.

The Mayor is retiring, so the character of the city will change a lot in November. No strong campaigning going on, which is worrisome. But our daily paper folded several years ago, and its replacement is produced out of Grand Rapids, and publishes only Thursday and Sunday editions. They try to do news on line, but it's spotty.

Republicans run as Democrats to win city office here, which makes it difficult to tell the teams apart...we do have one of the best-run election processes in the country, because of our City Clerk people (I work as an election inspector). Their election manual is widely ripped off, both within Michigan and outside, because it is so complete and thorough ...

Because the university keeps eating up taxable property (it is exempt from property tax on everything it owns) we will be reaching a problem when revenues can't keep up with expenses. We've become a 1 industry town since Pfizer moved out. The schools are living off a reputation they no longer deserve, IMO. There is a decaying level of real education, but mostly tarnished glory of years long past.

Our crime sprees occur when people are crossing from Detroit to Chicago, and stop in to rob a bank or other stuff. The murder rate jumped last year, when foolish, desperate people were going online and importing sex partners from Detroit or Chicago...The chronic burglary problem was subdued until recently. The jails couldn't hold the career burglars they were so full....and the student population is so careless about locking doors and windows and cars.

The University students are a year-round presence nowadays, with peaks of activity that are instigated by the school calendar. Other than organic food, there's very little retail in Ann Arbor proper, aside from thrift stores. There are several farmer's markets in the warm weather, with local produce that should not be missed! And every neighborhood has a park, if only for dog-walking.

But in general, Ann Arbor has all the attractions of a big city, with very little (comparatively speaking) crime. I was born and raised in Detroit, so going to the Big City is part of my life, too. Or what's left of it.

[Holly_Hobby]

2. Thank you so much!

Exactly what I'm looking for. We're also looking in Ypsi and Chelsea, but we really want to be around younger people, and looking for a vibrant night life. We're beyond bored here, in Toledo. We really want to get rid of our cars and live somewhere with good public transportation and walkability when weather permits.

[Demeter]

3. Ypsi is a poorer, quieter place.

They have some nightclub activity, and Eastern Michigan University does some theater, but it's not the same. It's close enough to make going to AA easy (there are buses between the two cities). Housing is cheaper, crime is higher, and Ypsi is very small, maybe 1/4 the size of AA.

Chelsea is a distant suburb...money, but isolated. And tiny. Very Republican, too, most likely.

You could go to two events each night in Ann Arbor and still miss a lot. Music, theater, dance, clubs, parties, big bicycling and other exercise sports, more golf courses than you can shake a stick at...museums (small but high quality), Arboretum and Botanical Gardens....The Ann Arbor Observer, a monthly magazine, tries to cover it all, but there's so much!

Of all the places, Ann Arbor is more of a year-round resort for those with the time to enjoy leisure activities.

You can PM me for any questions more specific....

[Holly_Hobby]

4. Thanks for the advice,

truly appreciated. I've lived here in Toledo all of my life and have been trying to get out of here for over 30 years. Our jobs have kept us here and now that we're retired...we want to go somewhere to enjoy ourselves and have access to better than average health care.

[COLGATE4]

5. I agree with Demeter about Ypsi.

Ypsi has an unfortunate problem with crime - if you can, you're probably better off thinking A.A. Will be much more to your taste and liking. And Chelsea is so RW as to be famous for it - unless you want your neighbors to possibly be Michigan Militia or would-be KKK'ers, Chelsea is probably not your best bet.

[Holly_Hobby]

7. This is why I ask...

Chelsea would be a definite NO then...I wasn't aware of their reputation. I didn't realize about the crime in Ypsi, either. Thank you, we won't waste our time on either.

[LovingA2andMI]

17. Judgmental Much?

"Ypsi has an unfortunate problem with crime.....". Hello, so does Ann Arbor. So if the out of towner desire to be nearly crime free, try Manchester. Everyone there is likely to be the right color because of "Ypsi has an unfortunate problem with crime...." #SMH...

[Scout]

6. grew up in Ann Arbor

i like living in Ann Arbor.

summer's are especially wonderful as there are very few STUDENTS getting in the way of the rest of us

http://www.a2gov.org/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.michtheater.org/

http://www.theark.org/

http://www.aafilmfest.org/

http://annarborobserver.com/articles/front_page.html

www.artfair.org/‎

Chelsea has Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theater, and the Common Grill restaurant, and i think both are quite popular, especially with mature adults.

Saline and Tecumseh to the south also have their attractions.

Some parts of Ypsi are worse than others as far as crime goes, and the cost of living is much more reasonable than A.A.--all of Ypsi is not bad or crime ridden. Ypsi also has Eastern Michigan University and its activities and entertainments.

Detroit is 45 minutes or so to the east, with the sports, theater, casinos, and cross the bridge or tunnel and you are in Windsor.

To the west and north is the Waterloo Recreation Area: fishing, boating, hiking, camping, horseback riding, Eddy Discovery Center
https://www.facebook.com/WaterlooRecArea

[Holly_Hobby]

8. Thank you for taking the time...

We've both spent a lot of time in Michigan, it's a beautiful state. My parents lived on Posey lake north of Adrian for 20 years, but that area is too rural and very Red. AA has always been my favorite and I think we'll fit in. Thanks again.

[Scout]

9. let me/us (DUers) know when you settle somewhere....

we can have a DU meet up!

You are very welcome for the post ... proud Michigander here, sick at the state of our state lately.

[Holly_Hobby]

10. I certainly will and look forward to it...

thanks again.

[LovingA2andMI]

18. Thank you for the fairer Assessment....

About Ypsilanti....

"Some parts of Ypsi are worse than others as far as crime goes, and the cost of living is much more reasonable than A.A.--all of Ypsi is not bad or crime ridden."

This is true. So are parts of Ann Arbor except the Cost of Living is higher than in in Ypsilanti.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

11. I'm from a little upstream....

Milford to be exact. Upstream refers to the Huron River. I kayak all the time. The Huron is great for that. Hiking trails in and around A2 are awesome also.

http://www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-ann-arbor-michigan

I see that an above post linked to the Ark, an awesome and very intimate venue for folk music and more.

In regards to being over 55, I will address the healthcare available. It is great.
I do not know if you are a veteran. If so the V.A hospital is one of the best in the country.
(I could go on but P.M. me if a vet). It is hooked up with the U of M medical, some of the best and most innovative medical hospitals around. St. Joe's is pretty awesome also. My daughter just had our grandson there.

You will not be far away from anything that MI offers. Thirty minutes away from the Tigers, Lions, no bears, Greenfield Village is almost down the street. Dearborn, but worth the little trip.

A website "Under The Radar" will be a great place to start find in places in Michigan to visit.

http://utrmichigan.com/

Then you have to visit the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

http://www.artfair.org/

Used to a display there until health problems got in the way.

So much to enjoy so little time.

Welcome to the best state in the country, I hope.

Greg

[Holly_Hobby]

12. Thanks...

Healthcare is of extreme importance to us and it's a huge factor on where we go.

I appreciate the links, thank you again.

[Scout]

13. agree on the excellence of the healthcare available in the area! n/t

[Holly_Hobby]

14. I'd prefer to be within walking distance of UofM hospital :) n/t

[llmart]

15. I'm sorry I didn't see your post sooner....

I worked in AA and lived in Plymouth. If you have any questions, you can PM me.

[alp227]

16. Lived here til summer '97 then moved to California at age 6.

Haven't been here or any Great Lakes state since. I missed being in Michigan for Michigan football's 1997 championship season by a summertime! That's all I can tell ya.

[WovenGems]

19. One word

ArtFair!

[Holly_Hobby]

20. My first art fair was many years ago,

we try to go every year. I want to move there because it's a lot more liberal than where I am now, want to live out my senior years living in a younger community. I've been trying to move there since my mid-20's, but circumstances/jobs kept me here and I'm not going to take it anymore! I can collect a pension and SS anywhere

Selling the house, which is dang near impossible here, but anything will sell at the right price. Just gotta get hubby on board to take less than he wants for it. I'm going, with or without him! He can stay here and wait out the higher price, but I'm going.